John Owen's Journal 



OF HIS 



REMOVAL FROM VIRGINIA TO ALABAMA 



IN 1818 



EDITED BY 



THOMAS MCADORY OWEN 



[From Publications of the Southern History Association, April, 1897] 




BALTIMORE, MD. 
THE FRIEDENWALD COMPANY 

1897 




Qass. 
Book. 






o-^^^- , 8^^' 



John Owen's Journal 



OF HIS 



REMOVAL FROM VIRGINIA TO ALABAMA 



IN 1818 



EDITED BY 



THOMAS MCADORY OWEN 



[From Publications of the Southern History Association, April, 1897] 



BALTIMORE, MD. 
THE FRIEDENWALD COMPANY 

1897 



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JOHN OWEN'S JOURNAL OF HIS REMOVAL 
FROM VIRGINIA TO ALABAMA IN 1818. 

The student of the Western migrations will find in this brief 
journal much of interest. In its brief form and rough jottings of 
daily events, consisting of hardships and vexations, a more graphic 
picture is presented than could be realized from mere description. 

John Owen, born in Person County, N. C, Feb. 12, 1786, was 
one of seven children of Richardson Owen (b. in Henrico Co., Va, ; 
d. at Tuscaloosa, Ala.,) and his wife Sarah Duty, (b. in Warren Co., 
N. C; d. at Tuscaloosa, Ala.) He received an "old field school" 
education. On March i, 1805, at a session of the Va. Conference, 
M. E. Church, at Edmund Taylor's, Caswell Circuit, North Caro- 
lina, he was admitted on trial in the traveling connection. In 1807 
he was ordained deacon, and in 1809, an elder. In Feb., 1812, he 
located, and never again entered into active connection with the 
Conference. 

On Sept. 9, 1813, in Norfolk, or Princess Anne County, Va., he 
married Ann Keeling Silvester, b. March 10, 1797, the daut. of 
David Silvester, (b. April 25, 1767; d. March 20, 1797,) and his 
wife Frances Bartee (b. Feb. 20, 1774; m. Sept. 23, 1790; d. Jan. 15, 
^^33-) Frances (Bartee) Silvester, referred to as Mother in this 
Journal, on the death of her husband became, Aug. 25, 1801, the 
wife of Joseph Nimmo (d. Jan. 22, 1816.) At the date of this 
journey, she was the second time a widow. She was the daut. of 
Thomas Bartee (b. Feb. 19, 1739, son of Robert and Elizabeth 

[ ] Bartee) and his wife Anna Keeling (b. May 23, 1741; m. Oct. 

4, 1767, daut. of William and Amy [ ] Keeling.) The Keelings, 

Nimmos, Bartees and Silvesters were all early and prominent 
settlers in Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties. 

At the time of the breaking up of his home, for this journey to the 
far West, John Owen lived near the Great Bridge, in Norfolk Co., 
Va. Those accompanying him were his wife, two small children. 



4 Southern History Association. 

his mother-in-law, and three or four slaves. On reaching Tusca- 
loosa, Ala., he acquired lands and added to his slave property. He 
became a practicing physician, and rose in importance locally. He 
was at dififerent times a State Bank Agent, State Bank Director, 
and Mayor of Tuscaloosa. He was ever a devoted Methodist, being 
a liberal contributor, and preaching when occasion demanded. He 
was a useful and honored citizen. He d. Feb. 7, 1848, and his wife 
d. June 30, 1861, and both are buried at Tuscaloosa. 

They had five children: I. Sarah Frances Owen, b. Jan. 27, 1815; 
m. Thomas J. Burke, (both dead) — issue: i. Edmund Burke, d. 
unm. ; 2. Malcolm Clayton Burke, m. Annie Ida Inge (dead), issue: 
i. Mary Kate Burke, ii. Robert, iii. Edward, iv. William, v. Malcolm 
— all at Montgomery, Ala.; 3. Mary Kate Burke (dead), m. Hon. 
Richard H. Clarke, M. C. ist Ala. Cong. Dist. — issue: i. William E., 
d. young; ii. Mabel Radford Clarke, unm.; iii. Kathleen Clarke 
(dead), m. J. Manly Foster, Tuscaloosa, Ala., issue: (i) Richard 
Clarke Foster; iv. Mary Clifton, d. young. II. Joseph Richardson 
Nimmo Owen, b. Feb. 28, 1818, unm., a practicing physician at 
Eureka, Nev. III. Anne Keeling Owen, d. young. IV. Robert 
Silvester Owen, unm., resides at East Lake, Ala. V. Virginia 
Owen, m. Rev. Thomas F. Greene; they reside at Montgomery — 
issue: i. Annie Findley Greene, m. Eugene LeVert Brown, they 
reside at Atlanta, Ga. — Issue: i. Eugene; ii. Mary; 2. John Owen 
Greene, d. young; 3. Kate Silvester Greene, d. young; 4. Robert 
Harvey Greene; 5. Mary Virginia Greene; 6. Frances Nimmo 
Greene — numbers 4, 5 and 6 reside at Montgomery, Ala. 

Two large folio journals kept by John Owen, 1813-1848, from one 
of which the extract below is taken, are in the possession of his 
descendants. 

Journal. 

Oct. 20 [1818]. Sale of all my goods. 

24. Started to the West about 12 oclock & got within i 
mile of Deep creek ^ where we encamp''. 

25. Mov'^ forward at half past 8 am At 10 Cart broke 
down & stop'' to fix it All well good weather and in high 
spirits Am sick at night & camp^ in church yard 

26. Good weather bought cart wheals — repar^ & started 
forward At night Camp" i mile above Sufifolk — Sufifolk 
34 [miles] — B Water B 22 [miles] 

* A branch of the Elizabeth river, into which the north end of 
the Dismal Swamp Canal empties. 



John Owen^s Journal. 5 

27. M'' Stewart left us At 9 mov^ forward All poorly 
at one stop*^ to feed. 

28. Mov^ forward at 9 am bad sailing- encamped nigh 
Black Water Bridge ' where I set up all night apprehensive 
of Robbers. 

29.' Start at half past 7 & travel slow & encamp^ at the 
piny old field 

29. Mov^ foward at 7 and camp"^ that night at Capt 
Bisils at 12 this day the Bolt of the fore Bolster broke 
loose and detained us. We could this day get no corn or 
fodder till night so that our horses fasted all tolerably well. 

30. Started at nine & got one mile above Petersburg,* 

31. Started at 9 & got 20 miles on our way to Lynch 
Burg the roads bad & all well Except Mother Camp^ 
in a piny old field The wind to the South & warm. 

Nov. I. Started at ^ past 8. Roads hilly no accident 
but old mair fell down and broke chair bo[a]rd at camp"* 
at a oke Thicket all well but self unwell with Rheumatism 
wind to South & warm, 

2. Started 20 Minutes Before 9 Roads tolerable got 
to Prince Edward [County] & encamp** nigh Millers Tavern 
at a good place all well wind to South & warm 

3. Pas"* Prince Edward CH & at Night camp^ at Buffalo 
R * 2 miles above Hamden Sidney College where J. Nimmo 
came & tarried all night with us 

4. Staid to wash at 12 at Morgans Branch 

5. Started at 9 Mother sick bad Roads Cart turned 
over no damage of consequence only shafif Broke — Low 
spirited in consequence of Mothers indisposition camp^ 
nigh Thompsons on the Buckingham Road 

^ Over Black Water river, a considerable stream, dividing the 
counties of Surry and Isle of Wight on the north from Southamp- 
ton and Sussex on the south. 

* Erased in the original, leaving one day unnumbered. 

' There were two roads from SuflFolk to Petersburg, the more 
direct one lying along the James. The other, taken in this case, 
was much longer, and after passing Black Water extended north- 
westerly up the Nottoway. 

* In Prince Edward County. 



6 Southern History Association. 

Frid. 6. Rain the fore part of the day got into the 
stage Road Camp^ nigh Long mountain nigh Lynchburg. 
Weather clear"* up cool All well But Mother & she on the 
mend Good Roads to day. 

Sat. 7. Mov** forward at 9 bad roads weather Cloudy 
windy & cold got nigh New London^ where we had a tol- 
rable encampment. All well. 

8. Mov** forward at 7 Very cold good roads tho hilly 
encampd nigh Liberty All well tho in the dumps. 

9. Pas^ through Liberty'' & reach*^ within 3 miles of 
Beaufords Gap roads hilly and Rocky incamp"* on a hill 
side All well 

10. Cros** the Ridge at Beaufords Gap the road bad 
tho not worse than we expected Got to the limestone 
watter which is disagreeable to the taste makes bad Coffee 
& opperates on the bowels — rain commenc** at 3 PM and 
continued the night All tolrably well bought a horse at 
$90.00 that does not work well encamp'' in the mountains 
on the Western side of the foot of the Ridge 

11. Continued there the old Mair stray d ofif Nelly 
strayed off also The Devil turnd loose in good earnest — 
all well but Lucy & Sam who have the limestone fever — 
the old Mair & Nelly came in toward night 

12 Pas'* through Salem* good weather & roads All 
well Camped nigh a mill pond on Roanoke in the Alegany 
Mountains 

13 Cros^ the Alegany Mountain roads bad rocky & 
hilly Cros'' Roanoak creek 7 times pas^ through the turn 
pike & camp^ nigh Christians Burg the Capital of Mont- 
gomery County All well & in tolrable spirits 

14. Pas'' Montgomery Court house, a contemtible look- 
ing place. Cart tire came loose got a man to mend it who 
half done it & charg** double price. Have thought no one 
too big a fool for a Black Smith but find my mistake. 

^ In Campbell County, Va. 

* County seat of Bedford Co., Va., now called Bedford City. 

' Then in Botetourt, but now county seat of Roanoke County, Va. 



John Owen's Journal. y 

Crost New River roads bad no fodder to be had nor Eggs 
Mother poorly rest well but Powel & Winny camp'^ nigh 
New river Weather warm & like for rain 

15. Mov^ forward & fell in with negro traders met sev- 
eral droves of hogs intolerable roads the people very 
poor can get nothing to eat incampd within 14 Miles of 
Wythe All well 

16. Started Early pas"^ the most infernal Roads that we 
ever saw can get nothing for ourselves or horses but can 
buy Whisky & fat Meat the people poor Begarly & mean 
poor days march Camp"^ nigh Wyth C H All well but self 
sick with Rheumatism 

17. Started Early roads something better Cart turned 
over no damage done no chance of geting anything to Eat 
All well incampd in an enclosd place on a damp spot. 

18. Started late clouded up in night & Rained & Snow^ 
till 10 am cleard oiT cold & windy Roads worst we have 
had yet hilly stony and Muddy got fresh meat for the first 
time camp*^ on a handsome spot All well but self 

19. Bad roads worst I ever saw cold weather Camp'^ 
12 m® from Abington All well 

20. Started Early about 10 AM wagon came un- 
coupled & one of the hames & tongue broke Repar^ them 
in 3 hours & got within one Mile of Abington Weather 
cold roads a little better Mother very unwell Lucy un- 
well very low spirited & envy the Bruit creation their free- 
dom from care & anxiety of mind. 

21. Mov*^ tolrably early and made a short stop in Abing- 
ton to lay in stores got meat meal & several other articles. 
No coffee in town nor Bread A sorry looking place & a 
poor set got 12 or 15 miles above roads muddy and full 
of holes Camp^ in a new ground All well except Mother 
& she better. 

22. Started early bad roads Old mair fell down car- 
iage run back very much alarm^ ISfother & Ann Coup- 
ling Bolt broke detain'' much distres^ & low spirited almost 
wish I was dead or that fate had bloted the day in which I 



8 Southern History Association. 

was born out of the calendar & left a perfect Blank; mended 
Bolt Roads continue bad. Crost the Tennessee line * 
people poor & Rough. Swap^ the sorel mair the new one 
don* work well — camp^ on a hill All well But Mother & 
self— 

23. Have gone back alarm^ Mother & Ann horse Run- 
away with cart broke it all to peaces & alarm us all very 
much My mind in a state of distraction on her account 
and Anns — my wife more fortitude than myself asham"^ of it 
M"" Ray very cleaver & kind left the old wheals & body 
and mov'' foward roads Bad Camp"^ nigh Boat landing. 

24. Started late pas^ the boat yard ' & crosd the N. fork 
of Holston where axele tree gave way in the river & scarcely 
got to shore made a new one which detain^ us 3 hours 
poor days march camp^ on a high hill nigh the Mill No 
cleaver people all shifting and mean weather continues 
good roads hilly & Rocky All well except self & Mother, 
in some better spirits 

25. Roads Bad met with no disaster which is a wonder 
pas^ through Rogersville * & Camp** one mile below the 
people in better Circumstances. All well as common But' 
Nelly & Delila Camp^ at a Brick yard 

26. Started Early Bad roads little better in the Even- 
ing Camp^ nigh Beans Station* at one Johnstons who is 
a hermit in principle & practice Came on to rain in the 
night tent fell down all got wet 

27. Rainy morning all in better spirits than I expected 
started late roads muddy pas^ through Rutlage Bought all 

^ It had taken thirty days to make the trip through Va. 
What special reasons determined the selection of this longer and 
more circuitous route, rather than that through the Carolinas, do 
not appear. Doubtless, however, it was because of his familiarity 
with this road, and because travel on an old and established high- 
way was less liable to accidents, and needful supplies could be more 
easily secured. 

' In Sullivan County, Tenn., in the forks of the Holston. 

' County seat of Hawkins County, Tenn. 

* In Granger County, Tenn. 

° County seat of Granger. 



John Owen's Journal. 9 

their Bacon & porke which was very Httle Camp*^ nigh 
Rutlage in a vally All little better — weather clear^ 

28. Started late fell in with many families Roads Bad 
camp^ 12 miles below Knoxville rain"^ hard in night all wet 
Pestered with travelers & negro drivers 

29. Started late rainy & disagreeable roads intolerable 
pas"^ . through Knoxville a poor Contemptible looking place 
No meat to be had in it camp^ nigh on the Hill lost dog 
all well as could be expected 

30. Started late got the dog got no meat in Knox- 
ville Roads Httle Better met Bro H' All well except 
mother 

Decem i. Started late Roads Bad Mother very un- 
well No milk Butter Chickerts or Eggs to be had — camp^ 
8 Mis from Kingston All low spirited 

2. Started late Roads Bad pas'd through Kingston & 
cros^ Clinch R drove late camp** nigh the fork of the Road 
in a Bad place 

3. Roads continue Bad. Bro H left us Took the 
Sequatchee Road Camp^ nigh a Branch people poor 
no greens milk chickens or Eggs Mother better Tony sick 
self Better 

4. Started late roads better provisions scarce Camp^ 
nigh Walter Beanses — came on to rain in the night & rain"^ 
all night — 

5. Rainy in the morning & snow** all the fore noon 
Started late and got only 4^ miles rented a room of M' 
Dickens a free Black man, the night windy & Blustering in 
the Extreme All unwell & low spirited 

6. Started late roads Bad Mother little Better Clouded 
up toward night like for snow but clear^ off, camp^ at M' 
Bensons 

7. Started late roads Bad entered the Cherokee Na- 
tion ' felt Bad wife more fortitude than my self. Bought 
meat of M"" Paterson 



* Hopson Owen. 

' The route through the Cherokee Nation left the main, 
Sequatchee road, at or near Washington, Rhea Co., Tenn. 



lO Southern History Association. 

8. Started late from Patersons and mov*^ on through the 
wilderness roads Bad Banks of Creeks steep & rocky 
Some good land Got nigh James Browns Mother sick 
all low spirited 

9. Roads Bad got to Browns ferry & cros^ But stal'^ 
on the other Bank which is very Bad 

10. Got up the Bank of Tennessee Nelly run away 
detained us till i oclock P M Started & got 4 or 5 Mis 
over Bad roads Camp^ nigh Choats on the Georgia road 
All in tolerable health except Mother & she Better 

11. Started late rainy all day roads very bad stal'' 
several times wagon tongue Broke mended it Camp^ on 
an eminence in the Cherokee Nation All in common health 

12. Fine fair weather roads Bad wagon turned over 
no harm done Mother sick Camp^ at an old camping 
ground in the Nation. 

13. Started by sunrise roads tolerably good No pro- 
visions to be had for horse feed gives out in the middle of the 
wilderness at a loss to know what course to pursue mind 
much distres"^ Our trust is yet in God whose mercy is over 
us and we yet think he will send us deliverance in some 
way Camp^ near a creek the bank very steep 

14. Started by sunrise good roads made a good days 
drive lost our road. Camp'' nigh a creek where we got in 
the right way 

15. Started early Camp*^ on a bad hill horses got 
away had to walk 6 miles to look for them in the wilderness 
found them at an Indian house. Much distres^ 

16. Started late Bad roads Got no provisions for self 
or horses did not like the conduct of the Indians Camp'' 
nigh Walkers Indian drunk came to M"" Harrises tent & 
plagued us all night horses get away & detain us — 

17. Found Horses late indian tries to shoot us M"" 
Harris & family very kind and assist us Made a tolerable 
days drive & camp'' nigh the line not far from Ratclifts — 
got corn & fodder 



John Owen's Journal. 1 1 

i8. Cros^ the line into the Alabamma Terytory' very 
glad on the occasion. JVP Harrises wagon breakes down 
Stop"^ to assist him Camp*^ nigh Leaths 

19. Roads bad weather good Bolts Broke Smiths 
Lazy No meal to be had 

20. Started Early got a little meal every thing very 
high people poor rough &c roads little Better Very 
unwell — 

21. Started late roads good provisions high But more 
plenty nothing remarkable All well — 

22. Rain"^ all night Started late, mists, rain all day roads 
Bad Enter*^ Joneses Vally ^ Good land corn & fodder 
high All well 

23. Roads Bad fell in with hog drivers bought porke 
Camp"^ at the Mill 

24. Roads little Better corn high people Shufling 

25. Roads little Better Christmas day 

26. Past Broken Roads & got to Tuscaloosa ' & feel 
thankful to kind Heaven that after 9 weeks traveling & 
expos'' to Every danger that we arriv'^ safe and in good 
health 

^ Created by Act of Congress, Mar. 3, 1817, — in force Aug. 15, 
181 7, when the Constitution of Miss, was formed. See Vol. i, 
No. I, pp. 61-63, for full abstract of governmental history. 

^ Named for " Devil " John Jones. He and three companions, 
Andrew McLaughlin, IMoses and Isaac Fields, came from Tenn. 
in the spring of 1815, and made a small crop of corn that year 
near the present city of Bessemer, Jefferson County, Ala. In the 
fall they brought their families. Each succeeding year brought 
numbers of settlers, so that by 1818 the valley was quite populous. 

' Settled in 1815. 



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